tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198297931274442981.post8489100083598457330..comments2009-04-16T11:28:08.407-07:00Comments on <b>Diva on a Limb</b>: Will this be on the test?Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05696237053731533753noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198297931274442981.post-4731265392099467072008-03-11T06:56:00.000-07:002008-03-11T06:56:00.000-07:00Alicia,Welcome back to blogging!Comments like your...Alicia,<BR/>Welcome back to blogging!<BR/><BR/>Comments like yours and others are exactly what I was hoping for when I posted my question.<BR/><BR/>I would never undermine our curriculum with students, but I would encourage them to question and critically evaluate what they do and why they do it. I don't believe that any curriculum coordinator or educator would not value these qualities in a student when used appropriately and in the best interest of their learning.<BR/><BR/>I do worry that we too often accept and offer the response that we teach the content curriculum we do because kids need it to get into college and then get a good job. Surely there must be a better defense than this - despite the undeniable practicality of that answer.<BR/><BR/>I taught math. So I am more than used to the "when am I ever going to use this" question. And I had an answer. It's about a way of thinking. It's about processing and solving problems. It's about understanding and being amazed by a human-created system/language that incredibly explains and predicts our universe. It's about logic and creativity and ultimately about thinking.<BR/><BR/>I don't believe that technology should "dictate the content of what we teach." In fact, technology has little to do with it other than as the tool you suggest. Instead, I believe (along with most curriculum directors and teachers) that we need to value thinking, communicating, and collaborating skills. These will become incredibly important to separate the successful in a world in which "content knowledge" is more and more accessible at the click of a button. (In truth, these skills have always been important.) That we need to embed in all children's education safe and responsible use of these tools that have the power to harm just as they have the power to connect.<BR/><BR/>I wonder/question whether we need a traditional curriculum based on content and valuing these skills or instead should we not have a curriculum that focuses on ensuring we create thinkers, communicators, and collaborators, in the context of traditional content curriculum that we value. <BR/><BR/>I don't know the answer...but I love the conversation and I am happy to have started/continued the discussion with other smart educators (like yourself) who can offer answers. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for joining in!Dennis Harterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08283077578872565271noreply@blogger.com